Performers from legendary London music club Ronnie Scott’s will come to Chester for the first time.

The exclusive evening will take place on Wednesday, July 26 at the city’s Opera Grill on Pepper Street and will be a preview of an eight-week residency at the restaurant starting in September.

Ronnie Scott’s opened in London more than half a century ago and has hosted some of the world’s greatest performers including Chaka Khan, Prince, Van Morrison and George Benson.

Jason Herd, Head of Music at Individual Restaurants, said: “Ronnie Scott’s is an institution in the UK and is usually something people go to London for especially so we are so excited to be bringing it to Chester.”

Alex LoSardo from Ronnie Scott’s said: “Having been a guest at Opera Grill in Chester and having witnessed how professional an operation it is as well as how good the room sounds, it seemed like a no-brainer to partner with this classy establishment. We are excited to be there.”

Playing on the night will be The Emma Smith quartet, The James Pearson Quartet and Cuban band Eli & La Evolución.

Emma Smith has shared a stage with Kurt Elling, Michael Buble, Georgie Fame and Goldie, among others while James Pearson, Artistic Director at Ronnie Scott’s, has worked with a host of famous names including Dame Cleo Laine, Petula Clark, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, Ray Davies and Paul McCartney.

Eli & La Evolución, who play a selection of Cuban salsa covers of world-famous pop, soul and R&B hits, as well as a selection of original material and Cuban classics, have performed all over the UK in festivals, venues and private events including a five-year monthly residency upstairs at Ronnie Scott’s.

There will also be a special jazz dining menu on the night.

Opera Grill won the Best Newcomer title at the 21st annual Cheshire Life Food and Drink Awards and was described by editor Louise Taylor as ‘a stunning restaurant whose gobsmacking scale and ambition equals the grandeur of its name’.

The prestigious award is given to the venue that has made the greatest impact on the local community and has helped to promote Cheshire food and drink to a new audience. The restaurant, with its opulent neoclassical Greek façade and glamorous roof terrace, is rapidly becoming known as one of the most upmarket dining and live music venues in the northwest, with its musical offering recently including performances from ‘the People’s Tenor’, Russell Watson and the award-winning opera singer Jonathan Antoine as well as live music every weekend from covers band the Collective and the restaurant’s Gospel Choir.

Ronnie Scott’s Live at Opera Grill will take place from 7pm until late.